Nifflas' Support Forum

Released Games => Saira => Topic started by: Nifflas on December 13, 2009, 17:23:17

Title: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Nifflas on December 13, 2009, 17:23:17
Since the release of Saira a few different things have been pointed out by various users.

* ESC is not close enough to A,S, and D. I will add a customizable key that closes the PDA and Puzzle devices.
* The fly power is slow on some PC's. The reason is that I released Saira before MMF2's hardware acceleration SDK was out, so the extension that displays the graphical fly power effect is not optimized enough. For the fly effect I'll replace it with regular 'active objects' which means that it will become impossible for level designers to customize a different fly effect. I guess it's worth it to avoid the extra resource usage though.
* Some spelling/grammar mistakes pointed out by PONTO.

[mod]added links for easy access
Edit, new link: http://nifflas.ni2.se/?page=Saira
[/mod]
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: Miss Paula on December 13, 2009, 17:34:54
didn't you want to update the credits for Looki too or something? Just wondering. ;)
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: PONTO on December 13, 2009, 17:48:04
If you are willing to, I may add another suggestion:
Save the radio station not when the ship lands on a planet, but when Tab is pressed. I often open Saira just to play pinball and change the radio station, but then I close the game and it never gets saved.
It's a really picky thing, but if it doesn't take too long it's probably worth it. :)
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: LightningEagle on December 13, 2009, 18:15:40
Now, I don't know how difficult this would be but...

Let's say (some) people begin to create their own episodes.
The way thing are now they're all placed in the Saira root folder. This will be a bit messy to browse through.

Would it be possible to alter the structure in a way like knytt stories where we have a level folder. Making it

Code: [Select]
Saira
 +- Data
 +- Editor (if you download it)
 +- Settings
 +- Episodes
 |  +- Nifflas - 000 - Teleporters
 |  +- LightningEagle - 000 - Some level
 |  +- ...
 +- Saira.exe
 +- Settings.exe
 + Saira.ini

Hmm.. I just realized. This would probably require the Editor to be rewriten at some points too. I guess it's more difficult than I expected...
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: Nifflas on December 13, 2009, 18:18:51
I can't do that. Anyway, Looki is in the credits now too, I'll get the 1.1 build done today or tomorrow then it will all be peace and happiness!
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: PONTO on December 13, 2009, 18:30:12
What about my suggestion concerning the radio frequency? Do you think you can do that?
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: Nifflas on December 13, 2009, 18:37:44
Perhaps for 1.1.1, I have to start out by quickly addressing the critical things.
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: Salmoneous on December 13, 2009, 21:23:54
I think you should make the movement faster. I think it's a little to slow, like it takes over a second to turn around. Perhaps speed it up?
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: back seat astronaut on December 13, 2009, 23:10:22
I don't remember exactly where, but in one of the instructions/tutorials near the beginning of the game, there was something about a "wall on the left" when the wall was actually on the right.  Did anyone point that out already?

As far as suggestions go, one thing I was kind of disappointed in was when I realized the camera has limited memory.  I wanted to take pictures just for fun of my favorite creatures and locations throughout the game, in keeping with the character of Saira being a photographer.  But it turns out there isn't much room for "just for fun" pictures when you also have to leave room for pictures of clues.  It would be nice if the camera held more photos.  (Not a big deal, but just something I thought of when I started playing.)
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: PONTO on December 13, 2009, 23:35:43
Yeah, I agree with that thing about the camera memory... :S
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: AClockworkLemon on December 13, 2009, 23:36:37
Quote from: back seat astronaut on December 13, 2009, 23:10:22
I don't remember exactly where, but in one of the instructions/tutorials near the beginning of the game, there was something about a "wall on the left" when the wall was actually on the right.  Did anyone point that out already?

...
Actually, the wall IS on the left.
Spoiler: What you have to do (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PONTO on December 14, 2009, 00:29:38
I see the new build is done, but the site is not letting me download either version, Niff. You need to check that again.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: LightningEagle on December 14, 2009, 00:31:31
Quote from: Changelog
- A few spelling/gammar errors were corrected
Is grammar spelled wrong on purpose?  :P

I can't seem to download it either. The old version can still be found though:

http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira_100.exe (http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira_100.exe)
http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira_100.zip (http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira_100.zip)
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: LightningEagle on December 14, 2009, 00:48:40
Sorry about double post, but it's the easiest way to attract attention.  :P2

I've found the problem.

The new file name doesn't contain underscore but space instead.
The link on the website, however, still uses underscore as in the prior versions file name.

Links:

http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira 110.exe (http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira 110.exe)
http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira 110.zip (http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira 110.zip)
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: back seat astronaut on December 14, 2009, 01:20:47
Quote from: a clockwork lemon on December 13, 2009, 23:36:37
Quote from: back seat astronaut on December 13, 2009, 23:10:22
I don't remember exactly where, but in one of the instructions/tutorials near the beginning of the game, there was something about a "wall on the left" when the wall was actually on the right.  Did anyone point that out already?

...
Actually, the wall IS on the left.
Spoiler: What you have to do (click to show/hide)

Ah, you're right.  I must have thought it was referring to the right wall at first, and burned the notion that it was a typo into my memory, and then still remembered there being a typo even after I realized there was another wall to the left! 

Never mind me and my brain malfunctions...
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Saml on December 14, 2009, 01:21:38
The download URLs are down. Just to let you know.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Exp HP on December 14, 2009, 02:12:25
But the ones with the underscores (the expected download targets) are now up.  Looks like Nifflas resolved the naming issue!
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on December 14, 2009, 02:17:17
Would it be possible to add an options menu where you could turn down some graphics settings? Saira is pretty laggy on my machine.
Title: Re: WiP: Saira 1.1
Post by: SiamJai on December 14, 2009, 03:55:25
Quote from: back seat astronaut on December 13, 2009, 23:10:22
As far as suggestions go, one thing I was kind of disappointed in was when I realized the camera has limited memory.  I wanted to take pictures just for fun of my favorite creatures and locations throughout the game, in keeping with the character of Saira being a photographer.  But it turns out there isn't much room for "just for fun" pictures when you also have to leave room for pictures of clues.  It would be nice if the camera held more photos.  (Not a big deal, but just something I thought of when I started playing.)

Hmm... what do you do in real life when your digicam's memory is full? ;) You can do the same thing here, transfer the files to another directory.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: LimeLemon on December 14, 2009, 08:30:06
The correct links are:
http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira_110.zip
http://nifflas.ni2.se/content/games/Saira_110.exe
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: LightningEagle on December 14, 2009, 13:48:40
@Nifflas:

So, the fly animation was redone in the new version.
And this should unable us to create our own animations for flying.

How would you have created one before?

By creating a whole new sprite sheet for Saira? and if that's so, couldn't we just do that now too as the sprites for flying is in that sprite sheet?

Or was it possible to do it in another way before?

Offtopic: And those sprite sheets, by the way. Are they auto-generated with Anime Studio Pro?
I mean: do you have a file where Saira as a character is in and the different part of her body are some kind of objects in such a way that you can change the look and still have the animated figure.

I'm not sure if that made any sense... :huh:
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PONTO on December 14, 2009, 15:09:32
I noticed an improvement in performance with this update. Well done, Nifflas. :)

Also, Nifflas may be interested in knowing that today I was running my laptop from battery power and the performance (of both 1.0 and 1.1) was a lot worse. Getting the game to run properly on some computers may depend on changing the battery-saving plan.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: .viR on December 14, 2009, 21:31:45
I wonder, will you be releasing new episodes when you have time to make them? (Or are they planned?)
Knytt stories seems to be the "nice 'n' easy" level making and Saria has more of a "professional" look to it.

Also, loved the music on Dragon Noir.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: LPChip on December 15, 2009, 17:23:46
Quote from: PONTO on December 14, 2009, 15:09:32
I noticed an improvement in performance with this update. Well done, Nifflas. :)

Also, Nifflas may be interested in knowing that today I was running my laptop from battery power and the performance (of both 1.0 and 1.1) was a lot worse. Getting the game to run properly on some computers may depend on changing the battery-saving plan.

This is actually expected behavor. When you use a low-battery performance plan on your laptop, it will not give the GPU much power to extend the duration of the battery. Due to this, the performance of the GPU becomes less too. Any 3D app will have the same impact. You're basically performing a high powered demanding task with low/medium power.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: .viR on December 15, 2009, 17:40:49
Also, how do I "update" to 1.1? Do I have to find my save files and back them up, then uninstall and reinstall?
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Muttroid on December 15, 2009, 17:53:38
Quote from: .viR on December 15, 2009, 17:40:49
Also, how do I "update" to 1.1? Do I have to find my save files and back them up, then uninstall and reinstall?

I think this is explained on the download page. Seems pretty straightforward.

Quote from: Nifflas
Upgrade

To upgrade the non-portable (installer) version of the game, you can install the new version over the old one. To upgrade a portable (zip) version of the game, extract the new version of the game into a new folder and move the Settings folder from the old version to the new one.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: LimeLemon on December 15, 2009, 18:39:06
That's strange, because I just extracted the 1.1 zip to the same place as the old one, and my saves and settings were intact. Actually, this should always apply, since the zip don't contain any settings folder. The settings folder is created when you first start up the game (if you don't have any).
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: chironex on December 15, 2009, 21:18:53
Holy groffle! I just found this on JiG! I can't wait to try it out :whoa:
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PeppyHare4000 on December 16, 2009, 02:46:54
In the site you put the purchase of Saira "Kreator", Will it protect credit card ID
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: The stickman on December 16, 2009, 03:42:18
Quote from: PeppyHare4000 on December 16, 2009, 02:46:54
In the site you put the purchase of Saira "Kreator", Will it protect credit card ID
Why would Nifflas use a site that would steal your credit card number? :huh:
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PeppyHare4000 on December 16, 2009, 03:43:45
Quote from: The stickman on December 16, 2009, 03:42:18
Quote from: PeppyHare4000 on December 16, 2009, 02:46:54
In the site you put the purchase of Saira "Kreator", Will it protect credit card ID
Why would Nifflas use a site that would steal your credit card number? :huh:

I just want to be sure. I thought saira was a very fun game so far so i am purchasing the full version:)
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Nifflas on December 19, 2009, 21:02:04
Paypal is supported too if you don't want to give fastspring your credit card details, but personally I trust them completely.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PONTO on December 19, 2009, 21:49:58
Nifflas, the download link for the 1.1.1 portable version on your website is linking to version 1.1.0. You need to fix that.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Nifflas on December 20, 2009, 00:13:28
Ouch, I wonder why I keep making these mistakes. I'm not paying attention to the stuff I do right now.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: karooble on December 20, 2009, 19:17:23
Quote from: Nifflas on December 20, 2009, 00:13:28
Ouch, I wonder why I keep making these mistakes. I'm not paying attention to the stuff I do right now.

It's understandable! Take it easy, Nifflas. You've done great already. <3
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PONTO on December 20, 2009, 19:45:33
Well, I am not sure we can still be friends after he has made such a mistake...

:P
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: The stickman on December 21, 2009, 05:24:17
So has the link been fixed? I want the new version, just so I don't go OCD over spelling errors.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PONTO on December 21, 2009, 11:49:58
Yes, it's fixed now. :)
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PeppyHare4000 on December 23, 2009, 22:51:41
I have purchased saira now. The feeling is great.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: mcbpete on January 17, 2010, 18:54:08
I'm currently playing the demo of Saira 1.1.1 and have the following bug when trying to play it fullscreen:

Spoiler: (click to show/hide)

It seems to be misaligned to the screen and thus cutting off the right hand side by a few pixels. I've never had any problems with running any of the other Nifflas games full screen.

I'm using a laptop with ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 128Mb and the latest drivers.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Nifflas on January 18, 2010, 10:47:40
I have no idea why that happens. Must be related to Multimedia Fusion 2 since I don't have the ability to control the display position at all.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: mcbpete on January 18, 2010, 20:53:08
I wonder if it's the kooky resolution I'm running it at that throws MF2 off (1280x800, I've a widescreen display). I notice that in Knytt and Knytt Stories that using full screen mode it resizes my display to 640x350, but Saira stays at 1280x800. Perhaps Full Screen mode in Saira could resize the user's display in a similar way (possibly a choice of resolutions in the settings.exe ?)
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Exp HP on January 24, 2010, 08:12:46
Quote from: mcbpete
I wonder if it's the kooky resolution I'm running it at that throws MF2 off (1280x800, I've a widescreen display). I notice that in Knytt and Knytt Stories that using full screen mode it resizes my display to 640x350, but Saira stays at 1280x800. Perhaps Full Screen mode in Saira could resize the user's display in a similar way (possibly a choice of resolutions in the settings.exe ?)
Interestingly, I've got an even wider display (1366x786) and it looks fine on mine.  Black border all the way around.  Also, I get a "suboptimal resolution" warning from my system, meaning it does change the resolution.

Specifically, it drops it to 1280 x 720.

Spoiler: image (click to show/hide)

Here's hoping that mcbpete's situation together with mine helps identify the problem.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: smeagle on January 24, 2010, 09:13:03
Looks like that tileset is going to be the most used tileset in Knytt stories and saira XD
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Looki on January 28, 2010, 18:22:52
Quote from: Nifflas on January 18, 2010, 10:47:40
I have no idea why that happens. Must be related to Multimedia Fusion 2 since I don't have the ability to control the display position at all.

Actually, you can move and resize the frame area with the Window Control Object.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Nifflas on February 01, 2010, 16:19:16
Yeah, you have the ability if you specifically add it to your application - but without that extension in the app, I don't have the ability to do it, and my point being that it can impossibly be a problem I've caused, and the reason I make the statement is so that people don't try to suggest or guess what the solution is based on how they think I programmed it.
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: inspuration on February 07, 2010, 19:18:27
Quick question, will future Saira episodes come with new versions of the game, or will they come in packages or something?
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: Widget on February 08, 2010, 08:45:43
For the time being future episodes will have to be user-created. Nifflas hasn't discounted the possibility of creating another (or more?) in the future but is too busy with other things at the moment. Saira episodes are a lot more work than a KS level, after all  :P

IIRC Nifflas did say that he may consider adding fan-made episodes to the basic package, but I'd assume that'd be only in special circumstances, if there was a lot of demand for one episode to work with the demo or something.

Hope I've not misremembered any of this, but the information is around. Just don't remember where, exactly, his relevant posts were  ;)
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: TheDarkOne on July 21, 2010, 05:12:03
For some reason, it won't let me download it. Maybe it has something to do with buying it?
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: LPChip on July 21, 2010, 17:09:59
It seems the url isn't working anymore.

And aside of that, 1.1.2 has been released too. You can find it here:

http://nifflas.ni2.se/?page=Saira
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: PONTO on July 21, 2010, 20:06:18
Oh, I was not aware of that update. Does anyone know what was changed/fixed?? (from 1.1.1 to 1.1.2, I mean...)
Title: Re: Saira 1.1 is released!
Post by: LPChip on July 21, 2010, 21:18:09
The changelog link on the page I provided really sums it up well:

Version 1.1.2
- Serial codes beginning with zeroes have caused some problems with some delivery systems. I modified the game to add the required starting zeroes on its own.

Version 1.1.1
- Small spell fix
- Fixed level format bug, nothing that should actually affect the game, but it could have caused troubles for third party levels